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After waiting over a decade of reconstruction and intricate refurbishing of their 1926 historic clubhouse, the Miami Woman’s Club finally is back in the iconic five-story building in Downtown Miami at 1737 N. Bayshore Dr.
The Miami Woman’s Club, now in its 122nd year of service, conducted its first meeting in the renovated clubhouse on Aug. 24 to install the board members for 2022-23. A larger grand opening will be celebrated later this year.
“All of our members and friends are excited to renew our mission of assisting community groups and to continue to play a vital role the civic, cultural and educational life of Miami,” said club president Shirley Pardon.
The striking Mediterranean Revival building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has been refurbished to most of its original style including the parapet roof adorned with stone balustrade and 1926 Italian lighting embellishing the oak flooring on the Club’s third floor. The main changes in 2022 are that the building is joined by two world-class restaurants (Klaw is now open on the fourth floor and another restaurant will open next year on the first floor). The leasing of these spaces provides income to the Miami Woman’s Club to assist in the future maintenance of the building and the service operations.
For nearly a century members of the club passed through the arched entries and ornamented columns designed by famed architect August Geiger. In 1926, the building was one of the nation’s largest and most expensive women’s clubs, with more than 1,000 members. During this time, The Miami Woman’s Club was open every day with events, classes, an auditorium for concerts and speeches, and the location of Miami’s only public library. Like other clubs around the nation, The Miami Woman’s Club lost members when women begin working in the 1960s.
During the lengthy construction period, the club has maintained its mission within the community plus keeping offices and regular meetings next door at the Doubletree/Grand Hotel. The club’s most important goal was to keep donating to the local community, especially during the pandemic.
“In the last two years we have served the community through several initiatives and have focused on contributing financially to many small non-profits struggling during COVID-19, helping them to continue to serve the community,” Pardon said. “We also gave a hand to front-line staff from hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and fire rescue services.”
Now settled in its renovated home, the club will continue its service efforts and once again be hosting local civic and cultural groups in their iconic home on the third floor. Club leaders hope that this move back into the building will bring a rise in membership.
“Tens of millions of dollars have been invested to bring this gem back to life,” Pardon said.
“Between the activities of the Miami Woman’s Club, the appeal of international restaurants and our amazing location, our proud ‘Grand Lady’ will once again be a destination on the bay.”
To see more #Miaminews from #Aventura to #Coralgables to #SouthMiami, #Pinecrest, #Palmetto Bay and #Cutler Bay and all throughout #Miamidadecounty go to:
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